Lesson 11 The White Bear

1、In the cold cold North there is always snow on the ground. Even in summer it is very cold, as great blocks of ice floatabout in the sea.

2、Here is the home of the Polar Bear. He does not mind the cold; for God has given him a coat of thick fur to keep him warm.He enjoys the sharp air as much as you do the warm sunshine.

3、He never slips on the ice, as you do; for the soles of his feet are covered with long hair. He walks as softly as if he had a pair of fur boots on.

4、The bear lives near the sea, for he likes to swim in the water. And there, too, he generally finds plenty to eat.

5、He is very fond of catching a seal for his dinner. He roams over the ice till he comes to a place where he sees that the ice is melted.

6、He knows that this is a likely place for a seal to pop up its head. So he sits down and watches.

7、By-and-by up comes the round head of the seal. The bear jumps upon it. He drags the seal out of the water, tears it to pieces, and eats it.

8、Sometimes he dives into the water after a fish, and is so quick, that he catches it before it can escape. Sometimes he comes upon a bit of dead whale, and thinks it a great treat.

9、When he cannot find food on the coast, he goes to some spot where the snow has melted, and feeds on berries. If he is very hungry indeed, he is glad to eat even the seaweed on the shore.

(296 words)

Exercises

Ⅰ. How well did you read?

1. [Give the reason] Why do the bears like to live near the sea?

A. Because they like to swim in the sea.

B. Because there is always snow on the ground.

C. Because it is warm near the sea.

2. [Check the details] Which of the following might be food for polar bears?

A. Seals, lions and berries.

B. Sea-weed, fish and dead whales.

C. Seals, whales and grass.

3. [Note the fact] Which of the following statements is true?

A. It is cold in the North Pole all the year round.

B. The ice never melts in the North Pole.

C. The polar bear enjoys the warm sunshine.

Ⅱ. Read for words.

Choose one best paraphrase or Chinese meaning for the underlined words or expressions.

1. He enjoys the sharp air as much as you do the warm sunshine. (Para. 2, line 4)

A. cold B. warm C. hot

2. He knows that this is a likely place for a seal to pop up its head. (Para. 6, line 1)

A. 伸出 B. 抬起 C. 低下

3. Sometimes he dives into the water after a fish, and is so quick, that he catches it before it can escape. (Para. 8, line 2)

A. 被抓住 B. 逃跑 C. 挣脱

4. Sometimes he comes upon a bit of dead whale, and thinks it a great treat. (Para. 8,line 2)

A. 发现 B. 抓住 C. 偶遇

Ⅲ. Writing practice.

Please write a description about the white bear. Include the following information:1. Where do they live?

2. What do they look like?

3. What do they have for food?

4. How do they hunt for food?